The Deceptive Coolness of Dubai's Heart.

Imagining the heat outside as we take time over breakfast, I suddenly had a newfound appreciation for air conditioning.

Outside our breakfast window high-rises reach for the sky beyond the massive, fourteen-lane main road, with the Metro riding high above. That sizzling heat is only skewered by the haze, but right now, the air conditioning continues to create a deceptive, wonderful coolness.

Setting out for the Dubai Mall, our first view of the Burj Khalifa awaited.

Helen made me smile when looking around for a minute or two at the scale of what lay before us, the Dubai Mall: “It’s the Trafford Centre on steroids!” Truth is, it is colossal, huge and flashy, to say the least.

The polished marble floors are spotless, the space vast and enormous, it truly feels like a small, glittering town centre. You can stand at the edge of an impressive ice rink one minute, then watch scuba divers swimming amongst sharks and stingrays in the enormous aquarium the next. Everything here is bigger and better; the scale is unlike anything we have ever seen.

It's vibrant, busy and at times chaotic, yet it feels extremely safe. Every outlet imaginable is here, each with stunning displays and its own specific style. Despite the brash grandeur, the prices seem surprisingly on par with home. It is an exciting, splendid experience, though I am glad we have no interest in shopping. We can imagine this could be a dangerous place for some! Views from the Apple Store’s terrace were truly magnificent.

As the sun dipped, the music struck up and the crowd swelled. It was time for the dancing fountains.

What a spectacle! Wave after wave of water flooded upward, into the sky against a stunning backdrop of high-rises. The sizzling heat finally gave way to a welcome 35 degrees and a breeze. The night slowly took over the day.

We waited for display number two, when the light had fully faded and the city truly came alive. It was absolutely worth it… an emotional moment in time as Helen outlined how it made her think of Rebecca and Aimée, I got it! Then that silence came, you know the one when you simply can’t speak!

Dancing Fountains Dubai Mall

Burj Khalifa

The stroll back to our hotel did not disappoint and gave some dazzling scenes.

Although it was still warm and we had only been in Dubai some seventeen hours we’d experienced many aspects to this vibrant city.